You can now buy the S3 surface separately, I assume for use in studio set ups

Avid S3 Control Surface - Vintage King Audio






*16 channel strips, each with a touch-sensitive, motorized fader and 10-segment signal level meter

*32 touch-sensitive, push-button rotary encoders for panning, gain control, plug-in parameter adjustments, and more (16 channel control, 16 assignable), each with a tricolor LED function indicator

*32 high-resolution OLED displays for viewing track names/numbers, detailed metering data (from mono to 5.1 surround), parameter names/values, current automation mode, and more

*Solo, mute, channel select, and record/automation-enable keys on every channel

*Touch strip provides easy access to transport controls; S3 can also be used alongside Artist Transport if you need full jog/shuttle wheel controls

*Dozens of dedicated buttons and switches for navigation, automation, control assignment, and software control

*Built-in 4x6 AVB Core Audio interface includes 2 XLR mic/line inputs, 2 TRS line inputs, 2 XLR line outputs, 2 TRS line outputs, and a stereo headphone output

awesome!

Ace! About time, works with Logic too?

Yes!

Crazy... Anyone think they'll release a smaller 8 fader version ?

This simply kills the SSL Nucleus for the price. Nothing better than leaving MCU for Eucon.

Oh No!

I don't want to want this.

but alas....

I much prefer the look of the Nucleus, not to mention the inclusion of the jog wheel. But I suppose the S3 would probably win out for overall functionality with the dual scribble strips and Eucon.

I doubt it. In the 8-fader market you already have the Artist, as well as non-Eucon controllers. I think you'd end up with some people looking at an 8 controller unit, for the sake of argument priced at $2500, as a not worth-while tradeoff since you'd get at least two Artists for that (assuming you're paying street prices). Yes, it'd be better quality, but "a lot" more expensive.

To me this just seems as a logical extension of having designed the live controller. You design a controller so the logical thing is to just slightly tweak the design (if at all) and sell it as a controller only. Easy peasy.

The "Select" and "Record Arm" buttons are between the faders ?!

Yeah, another well-thought-out Avid product.

http://www.avidblogs.com/wp-content/...EROGRAPHIC.png

No doubt about Build Quality and looks. But yeah ... the rest is undebatable. Even Monitoring is included.

From a post I made on the DUC

This product makes total sense. It appears a reasonable step up from the Artist series.

That said I might have to use one to really "get it". With no transport or editing controls, no sections dedicated to normal dynamics and EQ layouts, I assume no configuration ability for how plug ins get spilled - it just falls sort of short as to what I have hoped for in a project or small studio control surface. Abandoning the Touch screen concept instead of really digging deep into what the Artist Control could have been is a bit sad for me...

Oh well - 16 faders and 32 knobs - doesn't suck either...

PS - and I totally dislike the placement of the record and select buttons - much prefer their own row for swiping multiple channels and not accidentally bumping faders!

I LOVE the layout. I just need more IO. Would have been nice if it had two 8-channel ADAT TOSLINKs. So you could hook up a couple of converters to get to 16 channels of IO to go with the 16 faders.

Price: $4,995.00.

are those the transport controls bottom right? Is there a once again button ala icon? navigation buttons? $5k isnt so bad for a avid controller with this many faders but this seems like a shoehorn product and not one thought out for studio work.

Well, again; it's the control surface designed for live use that's now sold separately really. So, 'yes', not designed for studio work. But I can absolutely see a market for it.

It's not exactly what I need, but good enough.
Slogan:
Avid. Good enough, to get you buy (sic).

So is this supposed to be the replacement for my C24? Seriously? Maybe they'll come out with a monitor section/transport control box add on.

Even if they did, this is nowhere near my shopping list. Avid you have lost the plot completely

Goodbye Avid hello Raven

Dont get me wrong. I like the price point. I just want more editorial features. Surround sound monitor controller would also be a must. Lose the mbox welded on.

This!

Did anyone say it was the replacement for the C24?

Again, it would have been daft NOT to offer this without the rest of the live-gear, wouldn't you agree?

I hope the "controller", which excludes the audio function

No, I don't believe it is…it's not new per se, and is a controller for a live sound system that some may find use for in a studio…and it's half the price of the C24.

plus it costs way less to repurpose already designed gear then to make something new.

Initially looks nice, then - no transport control, no job wheel, totally flat (reading that top LCD strip is surely going to be a nightmare?) and yeah it has the audio interface/pres built in like the nucleus... because people who buy $5k control surfaces don't already have sound cards.

And yeah the rec/select button placement is bizarre to me. Maybe it works well in practice.

For me - nearly but not quite.

Using the jog wheel to slide a selection around is NICE on dcommand. Getting at those 3 finger crane style keyboard commands (and getting access to 2 at once) is a big part of what you want a surface for.

Drop it to 12 fader and add a control module and transport then sell this as a expansion for that

They sell the artist transport if you need shuttle/jog?

I just hit space bar and use the numpad for markers anyway.

I think the 1 2 3 4 labelled scribble bit is for whatever you want it to be, so can be play pause etc.





It kills the nucleus because its eucon connected. Eucon makes way more sense than mackie control these days.




I find it really funny reading the threads on GS about how they use X monitor controller, X converters, the hybrid way. And then when somebody brings out a control surface they complain it doesn't have all the above in!!!

You GSers crack me up sometimes!




The audio stuff is originally intended for talk to stage functions on the live mixer. I doubt it will even connect to pro tools?




I think it's great, and the rrp is decent! 32 knobs, 16 faders, if its mapped as cleverly as the live stuff does then it should be a steal.

More info:

Avid | Pro Tools | S3 - Compact 16-fader EUCON control surface and integrated 4x6 audio interface

I use the monitor controller in my dcommand. I dont think its a stretch to want something in its replacement $ range to have similar functionality.